Investments in HIV and AIDS Help Reduce New HIV Infections, AIDS-Related Deaths, New Analysis Shows

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Investments in HIV and AIDS in low and middle-income countries are paying off according to new analysis presented during the International AIDS Society conference. The data indicates that for the average country in Sub-Saharan Africa, increasing per capita HIV and AIDS investments by US$12 per year is associated with 250,000 fewer AIDS-related deaths or a 20% reduction.

While AIDS investments have been associated with unprecedented scale-up of HIV preventive services and anti-retroviral therapy — reaching almost U.S. $17 billion in 2011 — there has been little evidence on the relationship between these investments and the number of HIV cases and AIDS-related deaths. At the same time, international funding for HIV and AIDS has remained flat, while millions are still infected with HIV every year.

Researchers Carlos Avila of Abt Associates, Dejan Loncar of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and Jose Antonio Izazola-Licea of UNAIDS used data from 2005 to 2012 in 58 low-and-middle-income countries to examine factors such as HIV and AIDS expenditures and HIV incidence and mortality. They found consistent results showing that HIV investments are associated with reducing the number of HIV infections AIDS-related deaths. A 10 percent increase in HIV spending is associated with preventing 1.5 infections per one thousand population in new HIV infections and doubling per capita investments is associated with a six percent reduction in the number of AIDS-related deaths.

"Our analysis shows that investments in HIV and AIDS save lives," Avila said. "If we are to truly achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation, policies are needed that maintain the momentum and scale-up HIV investments, especially in low and middle-income countries." He added "Looking forward, fewer resources should be needed if future efficiencies and targeted responses replace wide investments made during the emergency phase of the global response."

The researchers presented the findings of their analysis on 22 July during the International AIDS Society conference.

About Abt AssociatesAbt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries. www.abtassociates.com